Filed under: Coupe (http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/), Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Hatchback (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/), Acura (http://www.autoblog.com/category/acura/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/01-acura-rsx-630op.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/acura-rsx/)Acura RSX - Click above for high-res image gallery

With Acura (http://www.autoblog.com/make/acura/)'s decision to nix V8 power and rear-wheel drive (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/sorry-acura-dealers-v8-rwd-dropped-for-low-growth-period/) in favor of new hybrid drivetrains (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/13/honda-ceo-takanobu-ito-announces-that-acura-will-add-a-hybrid/), dealers are worried that the brand's relentless pursuit of Tier 1 status - on par with Audi (http://www.autoblog.com/make/audi/), BMW (http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/), Lexus (http://www.autoblog.com/make/lexus/) and Mercedes-Benz (http://www.autoblog.com/make/mercedes-benz/) - may be threatened. But that's not the real news.

Buried at the end of an Automotive News piece about a recent Acura dealer meeting was this gem:
"[Jeff Conrad, vice president of the Acura division] confirmed that Acura is considering a small car below the TSX sedan. The vehicle not only would compete against the BMW 1 series (http://www.autoblog.com/model/1+series), Audi A3 (http://www.autoblog.com/model/a3) and Volvo C30 (http://www.autoblog.com/model/c30) but also would help meet looming CAFE regulations."
With the TSX (http://www.autoblog.com/model/tsx)'s growth spurt, a smaller offering from the automaker could be in order, and judging by the competition, that could mean the rebirth of the RSX. Then again, Acura could pull a CSX (an upgraded Civic for the Canadian market) or maybe even a CR-Z-based offering. Judging by the choice wording, we somehow doubt the former is in the cards, but with Acura's recent hybrid push, something with a gas-electric drivetrain seems likely.


Gallery: Acura RSX (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/acura-rsx/low/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/01-acura-rsx_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/acura-rsx/low/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/02-acura-rsx_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/acura-rsx/low/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/03-acura-rsx_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/acura-rsx/low/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/04-acura-rsx_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/acura-rsx/low/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/05-acura-rsx_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/acura-rsx/low/)

[Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100222/RETAIL06/302229976/1%20379) - Sub. Req.]Report: Acura considering small car below TSX (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/22/report-acura-considering-small-car-below-tsx/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).


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